How Blue Cross covers therapy in Toronto
Blue Cross plans list therapy coverage by practitioner type. Ontario Blue Cross's Complete Health Plan brochure lists psychologists, social workers, clinical counsellors and psychotherapists under one health practitioner benefit.
In that brochure, the benefit pays $55, $80 or $95 per visit, up to $250, $400 or $500 per calendar year, depending on the coverage level. Your own policy sets your actual amounts.
Because plans pay by practitioner type, the designation on a therapist's profile matters. Every First Session profile shows it, so you can match it to your plan before you book.
What to know about Blue Cross therapy in Toronto
Online and in-person
Medavie Blue Cross, which handles Blue Cross group coverage in Ontario, says that if your plan covers a practitioner type, you can claim virtual visits with that type. Its list includes psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers.
The therapist must be registered in Ontario to treat you. Out-of-province therapists on First Session are insured to provide online care to Ontario clients.
Credentials in Ontario
Each title has its own Ontario regulator. Registered Psychotherapists (RP) register with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), and only its registrants can use that title. RP (Qualifying) therapists practise with clinical supervision, according to CRPO.
Registered Social Workers (RSW) register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, which authorizes them to perform psychotherapy. Psychologists register with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario and may use C.Psych.
Cost and insurance
Therapy Toronto, a self-referral service, puts average private psychotherapy in Toronto and the GTA at $150 to $300 per 45-minute session, based on its 2026 rates. OHIP generally does not cover psychotherapy unless a psychiatrist or a GP provides it.
Profiles list fees before you book. After each session, First Session emails a receipt showing the therapist's name, license number, designation, practice address, session date and amount paid.
Free therapy in Toronto
CAMH coordinates the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program for the Toronto region. It offers free, publicly funded, short-term cognitive-behavioural therapy to adults 18 and older with symptoms of depression or anxiety.
You can self-refer through the CAMH website. Sessions are individual or group, in person or virtual.
How to choose a Blue Cross therapist in Toronto
1Match the designation to your plan
Read your plan booklet and note which practitioner types it lists. Then filter the listings by that designation and narrow by the concern you want to work on.
2Compare your limit with the fee
In Ontario Blue Cross's brochure, the Entry level pays $55 per visit up to $250 a year. That covers four full visits and part of a fifth. Set your plan's figures beside the fee on the profile to see your cost per session.
3Watch the intro video
A yearly maximum makes each session count. The short video on a profile lets you hear how the therapist talks about your concern before you spend a visit on them.
4Ask about the receipt in the free consultation
Book the free 15-minute consultation from the profile. Ask for the title and registration number that appears on your receipt, then confirm that title is on your plan's list.
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